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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Orlaith Clinton

Celtic Football Club themed barbers looks back on 20 years on the Falls Road

Many businesses and buildings add to the unique history of the Falls Road - and The Hoops Barbers is one of them.

Located in the heart of West Belfast, the Celtic Football Club themed barber shop first opened it's doors in 2001 and with an interesting interior, you get more than just a haircut.

Seeping with history of the Glasgow club, the green and white hoops throughout the shop create a heaven for Celtic fans - but owner Michael Magee said you don't have to support Celtic to come to his shop.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Michael said: "I was meant to open a barbers up in Crumlin and then it fell through so I worked here and a year later took the shop over. I was going to a Celtic match and that's where I got the idea.

"I had saw all of the themed bars and shops going to the game, I just thought 'this would be great on the Falls Road' and here we are over 20 years later. At the time the Falls was starting to get busy and opened The Hoops for £55 a week rent and grew from there.

"I was brought up a Manchester United man and as I got into my teens met a few Scottish friends, went to a few matches and got the Celtic bug. My dad still calls me a Manchester United man but I am 100% Celtic.

"We change the shop every couple of years to keep up with the times but my pride and joy is the mural - it will never change and will hopefully be here long after me. A local man Danny Devenny hand painted this for me and I just love it.

"I used to have all the memorabilia stuff up but with the coronavirus pandemic, I took it down so we could have clean surfaces.

"Everything that I have on my walls have been donated to the shop from customers. A guy came in at Christmas time with a signed Celtic ball from the Treble Treble last year. It stuff from all over the place.

"We have customers from everywhere - Downpatrick, Newcastle, the Shankill Road. Both sides of the community and I love that. We have boys from America, that when they visit, they'll always make it a point to visit us.

"Listen, you don't have to be a Celtic fan to come to get your hair cut. It's just a proper barbers - football, sport, banter - you get the full experience of the Falls Road when you come in here.

"There is a wee guy who was about 19 or 20 and he'd come in decked out in Rangers gear - the craic we had with him was unreal. That's what I want. Open arms to everyone."

Before lockdown, The Hoops Barbers would normally see queues of customers ranging from young boys to older men, but Michael says on an Old Firm day, the shop is empty.

The Hoops Barbers. (Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)

He said: "We'd have the football on ourselves here but everyone [our customers] is away watching it. It is good craic. The staff know to leave me alone on an Old Firm day though because I take it hard - it's nail biting stuff and especially now!

"Our client base would be pretty young and the kids just love it. One child actually asked me where my bed was because his room was Celtic themed too. They are just great craic. It's just different for them coming in and seeing the green and white."

The Hoops Barbers has been closed for nine months out of the last 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

And although closures have affected the team, Michael says they are excited to open their doors up again.

"It is sad and has a real detrimental effect on us - on the whole Falls Road," he said.

"There's been a lot of changes in this industry but hopefully we get back to some normal soon. What will that normal be though? We have been in and out, open and closed. It has been tough.

Michael says most of the wall art has been donated by customers and fans (Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)

"I have seen the Falls Road change so much for the better. The area is a great place and the businesses are great too. A lot of shops have closed done recently, and it's a big shock and sad to see.

"You just have to stand and keep moving with the times - keep smiling no matter what goes on."

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